Biochemistry Commons^™

Evaluation Of Pretreatment Methods In The Production Of Ethanol From Cattail Leaves, Kristen Krahmer, Elijah Wreh

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Previous research in this lab indicated that cattails are a potential source of biomass for the production of cellulosic ethanol since their carbohydrate composition is comparable to that of other plants being considered for biofuel production. To further test their viability, we tested various pretreatment methods on dried cattail leaves. Before polysaccharides in plants can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars, the plant material must be pretreated to render the polysaccharides accessible to the enzymes. The purpose of this project has been to compare the efficiency of sulfuric acid and ammonia pretreatment methods in preparing cattail biomass for ethanol production. …

The Effect Of Transient Hmg-Coa Reductase And 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose-5-Phosphate Synthase Overexpression On Terpene Production In Transgenic Tomato Fruits, Scott A. Gentry, Michael Gutensohn, Laura Henry, Natalia Dudareva

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Isoprenoids are secondary metabolites that control numerous plant functions including signaling, growth, photosynthesis, and membrane structure. The bioengineering of isoprenoid synthesis could produce plants with a variety of beneficial traits. Plants form isoprenoids using two different pathways, the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and the methylerithritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, which cooperate via metabolic cross-talk. Transgenic tomato lines expressing both the plastidic and cytosolic forms of the snapdragon nerolidol/linalool terpene synthase under a fruit ripening specific promoter were transiently transformed to overexpress key enzymes in the two isoprenoid pathways. Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) is the rate limiting enzyme in the MVA pathway that …

Determining The Binding Between Saga Subunits And Spliceosomal Components, Peyton J. Spreacker, Rachel L. Stegeman, Vikki M. Weake

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Proper gene regulation is vital to the health and development of an organism. Determining the relationship between splicing, transcription, and chromatin structure is vital for understanding gene regulation as a whole. There have been previous studies linking these elements pairwise; however, no evidence exists for a direct link between all three. Recent data shows that splicing components of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleic protein (snRNP) co-purify with Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA), a highly conserved transcriptional co-activator and chromatin modifier. We hypothesize that SAGA binds with splicing components through a multi-protein binding surface with certain core components based on preliminary yeast two-hybrid data. …

High Level Protein Expression Slows Down Rate Of Growth Of Bacterial Broth Cultures, Saad Chaudhry, Kenechukwu Ekwemalor, Shobhit Keswani, Odutayo Odunuge

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Anions In Lanana Creek By Ion Chromatography, Tania Benavides

Undergraduate Research Conference

Abstract

Lanana Creek is one of two springs that surround Nacogdoches, TX. Lanana Creek starts southwest of Lake Naconiche, conjoining with several other bodies of water along its path, and becomes part of the Angelina River. This body of water eventually ends in the Gulf of Mexico which may contribute to the dead zone. Contaminants in water may be of small concentration; however, prolonged exposure could produce many negative effects. To prevent further contamination, the source of the contamination must be identified through testing the water for contaminants. Some possible sources of contamination may be from fertilizers and pesticides used …

Xrf Analyses Of Prehanford Orchards, Komal Rana

STAR Program Research Presentations

Subsequent to 1943, the use of Lead Arsenic was banned from the Orchards standing on the Hanford site. This use of Lead Arsenate pesticide was popular among the orchard owners and was dispersed over the site in a myriad of ways. The presence of the traces of lead and arsenic are found today, more than half a century later. Using a portable X-ray florescence analyzer (XRF), the values of lead and arsenic are evaluated while determining the efficiency of the equipment itself. Samples from different decision sites were collected, with lead arsenic values in the low, high and medium range …

Assessing A Reconciliation Ecology Approach To Suburban Landscaping: Biodiversity On A College Campus, Christopher Bouma, Emily Huizenga, David P. Warners

Student Papers and Reports

No abstract provided.

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Caused By Naegleria Fowleri: An Old Enemy Presenting New Challenges, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Naveed Ahmed Khan

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

First discovered in 1899, Naegleria fowleri is a protist pathogen, known to infect the central nervous system and produce primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The most distressing aspect is that the fatality rate has remained more than 95%, despite our advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Although rare worldwide, most cases have been reported in the United States, Australia, and Europe (France). A large number of cases in developing countries go unnoticed. In particular, religious, recreational, and cultural practices such as ritual ablution and/or purifications, Ayurveda, and the use of neti pots for nasal irrigation can contribute to this devastating infection. …

Testing Predicted Specificity Determinants In The Dihydrofolate Reductase Enzyme Family, Seema J. Patel

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) is an essential enzyme for most organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. DHFR has essential functions in DNA biosynthesis and cell replication; as a result, cell growth can be inhibited by the inhibition of DHFR. Evaluating the use of well-known DHFR inhibitors is becoming essential in treating infections in the developing world as DHFR is a known target of antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs. Understanding determinants of DHFR inhibitor specificity in terms of amino acid sequence and structure will allow repurposing or designing of new compounds that selectively target DHFR from the pathogenic organism of interest over the …

Exploration Into The Cellular Effects Of Aziridinomitosenes, Christopher M. Mallory

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Aziridinomitosenes (AZMs) are organic compounds structurally related to the mitomycins, a class of anti-tumor agents and antibiotics. The cytotoxicity of the mitomycins is correlated to their ability to covalently link complimentary strands of DNA, forming DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). Currently, there has been limited investigation into the biological activity of AZMs, likely due to difficulties in their synthesis. Our lab has synthesized and evaluated the cellular effects of two AZMs, (1S, 2S)-6-desmethyl(methylaziridino)mitosene (H/H-AZM) and (1S, 2S)-6-methyl(methylaziridino)mitosene (Me/H-AZM). We hypothesize that AZMs exhibit their cytotoxicity and cellular effects following a similar pathway to that of mitomycin C (MC) including …

Biophysical And Computational Investigations Into G-Quadruplex Structural Polymorphism And Interaction With Small Molecules., Huy Tuan Le

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the cell, guanine-rich nucleic acids can self-assemble into unique four stranded tertiary structures known as G-quadruplexes. G-quadruplex formation in the telomere leads inhibits telomerase, an enzyme activated in cancer cells to maintain the telomere and allowing for cancer cells to achieve immortality. G-quadruplex formation in the promoters and 5’-untranslated regions regulates the expression of many oncogenes. Furthermore, G-quadruplex formation during cellular replication promotes genomic instability, a characteristic which enables tumor development. Because of their implication in cancer, G-quadruplex structures have emerged as attractive drug targets for anti-tumor therapeutics. In the current dissertation work, we present three experimental approaches to …

Mapping The Human Vasculature By In Vivo Phage Display, Julianna Bronk

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

In vivo phage display screenings by intravenous injection of a random phage-displayed peptide library allow for the selection of peptides that localize to specific vascular beds. At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we have had the opportunity to perform phage display screenings in cancer patients in order to select for cancer specific targets directly in humans. These targets serve to define biochemical diversity of endothelial cell surfaces and can be validated and explored towards the design of vascular-targeted pharmacology. In the most recent patient screen, samples were recovered from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as 26 additional …

Genetic And Mechanistic Analysis Of Rat Mammary Cancer Susceptibility., Jennifer Sanders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is a complex disease, which is influenced by genetic, epigenetic and environmental components. Genetic susceptibility to breast cancer is made up of high, moderate and low penetrance alleles. High and moderate penetrance alleles are rare and constitute only a small percentage of the genetic susceptibility. Most variation in genetic susceptibility is controlled by low- penetrance, common polymorphisms. Comparative genetics uses model organisms to study human disease. Rat strains exhibit different susceptibility phenotypes to chemical induced carcinogenesis. The Wistar-Furth (WF) rat strain is susceptible to chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis, while the Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) and Copenhagen (COP) rat strains are …

Single Tube, Multiple Enzyme Reaction For Detection Of Uv And Oxidative Damage In Forensic Physiological Stains, Nicholas J. Eurek

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

For decades, the use of DNA as a biological tool has revolutionized forensic investigations. The primary use of this genetic evidence is for identification of a victim or suspect through short tandem repeat (STR) profiling. However, the usefulness of this evidence can be compromised through inhibition of PCR, damage to the DNA, or low copy number. Here, we investigate damage induced to DNA by environmental factors. UV light is known to damage DNA by the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, 6-4 photoproducts, and strand breaks. These lesions can stall polymerase action or misincorporate bases during extension. Oxidative damage is also …

Mechanistic And Substrate Specificity Studies On Burkholderia Mallei Quorum Sensing Signal Synthesis Enzyme, Aubrey N. Montebello

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Gram-negative bacteria use acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) based quorum sensing (QS) to regulate the expression of genes that give the bacteria a selective advantage over host defenses and antibiotic treatment. Burkholderia mallei is an antibiotic resistant pathogen that causes Glanders disease. B. mallei BmaI1 AHL-synthase uses octanoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein (C8ACP) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to synthesize the AHL, octanoyl-homoserine lactone (C8HSL). Inhibiting AHL-synthases has been difficult because mechanistic and substrate specificity details for these enzymes are not well understood. Our goal was to determine how BmaI1 activity and enzymatic mechanism changes with nonspecific, variable acyl chain acyl-ACP substrates. We found that catalytic …

Synthesis Of 4'-Ester Resveratrol Analogues, Chromium Trioxide Oxidation Of Terpenes, And Synthesis Of Mimics Of (-)-Englerin A, Mark Jeffrey Acerson

Theses and Dissertations

4’ -ester analogues of resveratrol were synthesized using reaction conditions developed to produce mono-ester products in the presence of two other unprotected phenols. Basic conditions were employed to deprotonate the most acidic 4’ phenol followed by addition of anhydrides or acid chlorides to give the ester product. The reaction favored 4’-ester formation in polar aprotic solvents with DMSO being the optimal solvent.

(—)-Englerin A is a guaiane-type sesquiterpene containing two ester side chains. Mimics of (—)-englerin A were proposed that retained the ester side chains while replacing the non-polar core with less complicated structures. These proposed mimic cores would maintain …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Platinum(Ii) And Platinum(Iv) Complexes Containing 4,4′--Disubstituted--2,2′--Bipyridine Ligands For The Treatment Of Cancer, Van Vo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Three series of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes containing 4,4′-disubstituted-2,2′-bipyridine ligands have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The MTS cell proliferation assay was used to examine the in vitro anti-proliferative activities of these complexes in various human breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The cell's response to the complexes varies between different cell lines; however, the low EC₅₀ values determined from the MTS data indicate that several of the complexes are much more potent than cisplatin.

Flow cytometric analysis of selected compounds revealed induction of apoptosis …

Angiomotin Is A Novel Cadherin-11 Interacting Protein That Mediates Migration In Prostate Cancer Cells, Angelica Ortiz

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Prostate cancer (PCa), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States, has the proclivity to metastasize to bone resulting in sclerotic lesions. These cancer induced bone growths cause bone pain and fractures. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms contributing to PCa bone metastasis is required in order to find better prognostic tools and suitable targets for metastasis treatment and/ or prevention. Previous work in our laboratory showed increased expression of cadherin-11 (Cad11), a mesenchymal cadherin, during PCa progression. Furthermore, Cad11 expression endows PCa cells with increased migratory potential and metastasis to bone. Deletion of the Cad11 …

Cloning And Expression For The Future Characterization Of The Air2 Protein, Emily Sue Frampton

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Air2 is a eukaryotic protein involved in multiple biological processes including protein-protein interactions as well as RNA binding. Air2 plays a critical role in RNA quality control and also helps regulate post-translational modification of various proteins. Although previous studies have revealed information regarding Air2's roles within a cell, the molecular and structural basis for Air2 function is unclear. Using a codon-optimized version of the Air2 gene, various constructs were created that improved the expression and solubility of Air2. Additionally a co-expression complex of Air2 with a PRMTI mutant, K13S, was made to obtain the Air2 protein with a native binding …

Development And Evaluation Of An Enrichment Culture For Reductive Dechlorination Of Tetrachloroethene Under Low Ph Conditions, Rui Xiao

All Theses

Perchloroethene (PCE) is a pollutant of major environmental concern at hazardous waste sites worldwide. PCE and trichloroethene (TCE) are suspected carcinogens and are ranked 16th and 31st, respectively, on the Environmental Protection Agency's priority list for hazardous substances, developed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. As a consequence of the widespread use of chlorinated solvents (including PCE and TCE) for dry cleaning, chemical feedstocks, metal degreasing and other purposes, chloroethenes are widely distributed in the environment. Many soils and groundwater throughout the world are contaminated by chloroethenes. Therefore, further improvements are needed in clean-up methods. Bioaugmentation has …